Patent US5227859A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US5227859A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Passive coherent radiation detection system

Assignee: Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1990-12-04
•
Granted: 1993-07-13
•
Expires: 2010-12-04
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract Holographic optical elements are utilized for discriminating between monochromatic, coherent radiation and broadband, noncoherent radiation in passive coherent radiation detection systems such as aircraft warning systems and submarine laser communication systems. Coherent laser light can possess an extremely high energy density, directivity, (i.e., collimation), and a very narrow wavelength band when compared to natural or man-made, broadband white light sources. The concentration of laser light energy by a holographic optical element at the detector stage is a consequence of its special characteristics. Moreover, equally important, the diffracted light distribution in the neighborhood of the detector possesses a unique, bright geometric pattern not readily obtained with noncoherent sources. This geometric pattern is used as a laser wavelength detector for determination of the incident angular direction of the laser beam, as well as a coherent/noncoherent light discriminator. Since it is a passive component, a holographic optical element detects pulsed as well as continuous wave illumination, and some designs are basically independent of wavelength.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenneth G. Leib
  • 👤 Benjamin J. Pernick

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 21:44
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/32; F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/224; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/483; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/902

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
An optical system for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, and for determining characteristics of the coherent radiation, comprising: a. a holographic optical element for receiving the input radiation and for focusing coherent radiation therein to a spot or array of spots at an output plane while discriminating against and not focusing noncoherent radiation therein, said holographic optical element being a hologram recorded on a recording medium which, upon being illuminated with coherent radiation, replicates the wavefront used to originally expose the record medium; b. a radiation detector positioned in said output plane for detecting the spot or array of spots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 109 words
An optical system for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, and for determining characteristics of the coherent radiation, comprising: a. a holographic optical element for receiving the input radiation and for focusing coherent radiation therein to a spot or array of spots at an output plane while discriminating against and not focusing noncoherent radiation therein, said holographic optical element being a hologram recorded on a recording medium which, upon being illuminated with coherent radiation, replicates the wavefront used to originally expose the record medium; b. a radiation detector positioned in said output plane for detecting the spot or array of spots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 45 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation therein, as in claim 1, wherein said holographic optical element comprises a single holographic lens for focusing a single source of coherent radiation to a spot in said output plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation therein, as in claim 1, said holographic optical element comprising a multiple holographic element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 49 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 1, wherein said holographic optical element comprises a multiple holographic lens for focusing a single source of coherent radiation to an array of spots in said output plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 57 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 4, wherein said multiple holographic lens directs wavelengths λ1 to λn to different sectors 1 to n of said radiation detector to enable the presence of any one of wavelengths λ1 to λn to be detected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 30 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 1, wherein said radiation detector comprises a television camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 6, wherein said television camera includes a CCD detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 69 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 6, including a fast detector positioned outside of the field of view of the detector of said television detector, and the output of said fast detector driving an aperture attenuator to attenuate bright coherent radiation to prevent pixel saturation of the television camera by the bright coherent radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 8, including a frame marker circuit coupled to the output of said fast detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 36 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 8, including a signal present reference channel for analyzing the output of said fast detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 30 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 1, wherein said radiation detector comprises a film camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 1, wherein said film camera includes an instant print film camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 6, including a recorder for recording the video signals of said television camera.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 47 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 1, including a field of view expander comprising a truncated cone having an internal mirror surface to expand the field of view of said radiation detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 59 words
A receiving detector for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 1, said holographic optical element comprising a turret arrangement of multiple holographic optical elements rotatable about the optical axis of the detector, wherein any one of the multiple holographic elements can be rotated in front of the detector.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 110 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein comprising: a. utilizing a holographic optical element for receiving the input radiation and for focusing coherent radiation therein to a spot or array of spots at an output plane while discriminating against and not focusing noncoherent radiation therein, said holographic optical element being a hologram recorded on a recording medium which, upon being illuminated with coherent radiation, replicates the wavefront used to originally expose the recorded medium; b. detecting the spot or array of spots; c. analyzing the position of the spot or array of spots to determine characteristics of the coherent radiation.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 110 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein comprising: a. utilizing a holographic optical element for receiving the input radiation and for focusing coherent radiation therein to a spot or array of spots at an output plane while discriminating against and not focusing noncoherent radiation therein, said holographic optical element being a hologram recorded on a recording medium which, upon being illuminated with coherent radiation, replicates the wavefront used to originally expose the recorded medium; b. detecting the spot or array of spots; c. analyzing the position of the spot or array of spots to determine characteristics of the coherent radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 51 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, said step of analyzing comprising analyzing the positions of said spot or array of spots to determine the wavelength of each source of coherent radiation present in the input radiation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 53 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, said step of analyzing comprising analyzing the positions of said spot or array of spots to determine the angle of incidence of each source of coherent radiation present in the input radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 49 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, said step of analyzing comprising analyzing the size of the spot or array of spots to determine the wavelength of the coherent radiation present in the input radiation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 54 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, wherein said step of utilizing a holographic optical element includes utilizing a multiple holographic optical lens for focusing a single source of coherent radiation to an array of spots at the output plane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 63 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 20, wherein said multiple holographic lens directs wavelengths λ1 to λn to different sectors 1 to n, and said step of detecting includes detecting the presence of any one of wavelengths λ1 to λn in any of the different sectors 1 to n.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 53 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, wherein said step of utilizing a holographic optical element includes utilizing a single holographic optical lens for focusing a single source of coherent radiation to a single spot at the output plane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, wherein said step of detecting comprises detecting with a television camera.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 23, further including the step of attenuating bright coherent radiation to prevent pixel saturation of the television camera by the bright coherent radiation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 42 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 23, wherein the television camera generates video signals, and further including the step of recording the video signals of said television camera.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, wherein said step of detecting comprises detecting with a film camera.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, wherein said step of detecting comprises detecting with an instant print film camera.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 42 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, further including the step of expanding the field of view being detected with a truncated cone having an internal mirrored surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 75 words
A method for detecting coherent radiation present in input radiation while discriminating against noncoherent radiation present therein, as in claim 16, wherein said step of utilizing a holographic optical element includes the step of rotating a turret arrangement of a plurality of holographic optical elements to selectively position one of the plurality of holographic elements in a position to enable said step of detecting to be performed on the output of said one holographic element.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4153368A Cited
US4225782A Cited
US4966456A Cited
US5032026A Cited
US4958892A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-07-12 1997-01-11 1997-07-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-07-12 2001-01-11 2001-07-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-07-12 2005-01-11 2005-07-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag